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Better Lessons for Music Students
Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Better Lessons for Music Students Through Diagnostic Teaching Methods
I use diagnostic teaching methods. This is a fancy way of saying that I observe the student and learn his or her learning style. Then, I use the appropriate teaching methods to help the student learn, which creates better lessons for the music student.
Better Lessons for Music Students Through Multisensory Strategies
I use multisensory teaching aids. In other words, things you can touch, hear, see, etc. I do a lot with color, touch, motion, and mental imaging exercises. I originally developed the multisensory strategies to help teach students who have LD and ADD. However, I found that the multisensory techniques worked effectively with young students.
Let Me Tell You Three Stories About Students of Mine
An ADD Student
One ADD student of mine studied with another piano teacher before coming to me. The experience was so bad that he decided he did not want to play piano anymore. When his parents brought him to me, he wanted to learn guitar.
After his first year, he and his parents were so happy with the results that he started piano in addition to guitar. He has been with me for about ten years and has performed in multiple recitals.
An LD Student
A student with LD tendencies came to me barely able to play. Although the piano lessons were one-on-one, her previous teacher was public school certified. In addition, the teacher had experience teaching special needs students.
Her solution was to teach the LD student by ear. While ear learning does have its place in lessons, there needs to be a balance. The student failed to recognize the notes, use the correct fingers or hand positions when she first came to me. It was almost like she had never taken lessons.
I will admit that the student was a challenge. However, after two months of studying with me, she played songs with hands together, using the correct hand positions and fingering. Also, she had learned note, interval, and rhythm concepts. When her instruction improved, so did ability to perform.
A Young Child
Another of my students came to me from a piano teacher who was a very gifted pianist. The teacher possessed a graduate degree in piano performance and taught at the collegiate level. Undoubtedly, he instructed college students effectively.
Unfortunately, he did not know how to teach children. The student was about eight years old at this point. Even though he had only taken lessons for about nine months, he thought about quitting. However, he decided to change teachers instead.
He has taken lessons with me for over eight years and plays early advanced material. He learned to read more effectively, and his music studies improved as a result.
Better Lessons for Everyone
I have a handful of similar stories. Stories about teachers fresh out of college. Teachers who were not college trained. Teachers who quit because they got gigs on the road, etc. You get the idea.
When you consider all of the factors that go into choosing a music teacher, do not forget to factor in effectiveness. You can waste a lot of money on an inexperienced or ineffective teacher.
– Geoffrey Keith